WESTERN Cape police are on the hunt for a suspect involved in the fatal shooting of a police officer in Mamre on Wednesday, 17 April.
The 44-year-old sergeant and his partner were called to a domestic violence incident around 12.45pm.
Upon their arrival, a confrontation ensued between one of the officers and the alleged perpetrator.
During the fight, the suspect reportedly disarmed the officer and fired the weapon at close range.
The tragic incident happened on Klapmuts Street and the sergeant's partner managed to flee the scene on foot, narrowly escaping harm as the suspect pursued him.
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Western Cape police spokeswoman Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the search for the attacker.
"Initial reports reveal that the sergeant and his partner were dispatched to address a domestic violence report at approximately 12.45pm on Klapmuts Street. The suspect is said to have seized the service pistol of the fallen officer during a struggle, subsequently using it to shoot him fatally. The assailant also targeted the sergeant's partner before fleeing on foot. Fortunately, the partner was unharmed," Potelwa said.
Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, expressed deep sadness over the incident.
"The killing of a police officer, especially one responding to a call for help, with his own service weapon is profoundly distressing. The police are here to safeguard communities, not become victims of violence," Patekile said.
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